Latest news with #OccupationalEnglishTest
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
The need for a holistic approach to training OET aspirants
The Occupational English Test (OET) is a language proficiency test designed specifically for nurses, doctors and allied health professionals who want to work or study in English-speaking countries such as the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and others. While the test itself can be challenging, many aspirants face significant difficulties during the preparation. Gaps in training methodology, outdated teaching methods and high student-trainer ratio are some of the problems facing those aiming to take the OET. One student* felt that the training sessions were too generic. 'For basic reading comprehension, what I needed was targeted practice on specific types of texts and questions that appear in the OET reading module. I wanted to learn how to quickly identify the main ideas, understand the tone and answer the objectives within time limit. But this was not done.' A senior nurse* who had enrolled for the classes to improve her English language skills. 'When I told the instructor that I was having trouble with the writing section, I was instructed to just follow the format. I also struggled with the listening module and was lost in a sea of medical jargon. The instructors would rattle off complex terms and abbreviations, expecting us to absorb them instantly. Since they lacked a medical background, their explanations only added to my confusion.' Comprehensive strategy Instead of the current one-size-fits-all approach, what OET educators require is a comprehensive sub-skill integrated learning strategy. Instructors and trainers should have a basic knowledge of healthcare concepts so that students understand the context of OET questions leading to better comprehension and improved test scores. Mapping existing gaps in OET preparation techniques and institutional guidance will ensure that aspirants receive comprehensive support to overcome challenges. Here are some ways in which this can be done: First, students should be familiarised with OET format, including the four categories of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Review the test content, timing and questions. Next, activities should be created to engage students in group discussions, debates, monologues and dialogues. Discussions on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation can be held to help improve speaking and listening skills. To develop speaking skills, students should be engaged in role-play and conversations, using medical jargon. Discuss patient care, symptoms, and treatment options so that they can demonstrate their ability to use medical vocabulary. To improve listening skills, students should be made to identify medical information and record symptoms, offer diagnosis and develop treatment plans. They can also listen to podcasts and other audio texts related to the medical field. For writing prowess, the students to read the task instructions carefully, plan letter writing tasks and identify keys points, structure and layout. They should be directed to focus on relevant information about patient condition, treatment and care. To improve their reading, students should be advised to scan passages appropriately, focus on key words, and identify question types and use contextual clues to find answers. *Names withheld on request
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'My life was devoted to medicine in Ukraine'
A cardiologist who fled Ukraine with her daughter three years ago is nearing the end of exams that would allow her to practise in the UK. Anna Pinchuk, 39, fled Kyiv with her daughter seven-year-old Sofiia in March 2022 shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion began. Dr Pinchuk was working as a cardiologist at two private hospitals in Kyiv when she made the decision to leave for her daughter's safety, first staying in Germany and then in Devon. "A lot of buildings were destroyed and many people died. It was really scary being responsible for my child," she said. Dr Pinchuk said she packed money and important documents and drove to the border. They stayed in Germany until June 2022 before a family in the UK invited them to stay at their home in Devon. Speaking about being a cardiologist in Kyiv, Dr Pinchuk said: "Every day of my life was devoted to medicine and to helping people." She said she had sat through three years' of exams that would allow her to practise in the UK, with her final exam set to be held in June. Dr Pinchuk said: "The system is tough and long. It takes around three years on average." Her first exam was the Occupational English Test, which she received support to help prepare for through free tutor sessions from Refugee Support Devon. The charity said it had helped about 40 professionals from around the world, including doctors, vets, ophthalmologists and nurses, pass their occupational English test. Dr Pinchuk thanked them for their support, as well as the family who opened their doors for herself and Soffia, who is now 10 and settled in school. "They are very kind and generous and we are extremely grateful for what they have done for us," she said. Dr Pinchuk said "everything in Ukraine is very changeable and very unreliable". "We don't have any guarantees, and even if the events will stop for a while, we never know if the war will restart," she said. "At the moment, it's unpredictable, we can't plan anything." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ 'We were really sure we would die in Ukraine' Volunteers donate evacuation truck to Ukraine Refugee Support Devon
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Ukrainian cardiologist who fled to Devon close to finishing exams
A cardiologist who fled Ukraine with her daughter three years ago is nearing the end of exams that would allow her to practise in the Pinchuk, 39, fled Kyiv with her daughter seven-year-old Sofiia in March 2022 shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion Pinchuk was working as a cardiologist at two private hospitals in Kyiv when she made the decision to leave for her daughter's safety, first staying in Germany and then in Devon."A lot of buildings were destroyed and many people died. It was really scary being responsible for my child," she said. Dr Pinchuk said she packed money and important documents and drove to the stayed in Germany until June 2022 before a family in the UK invited them to stay at their home in about being a cardiologist in Kyiv, Dr Pinchuk said: "Every day of my life was devoted to medicine and to helping people."She said she had sat through three years' of exams that would allow her to practise in the UK, with her final exam set to be held in June. Dr Pinchuk said: "The system is tough and long. It takes around three years on average."Her first exam was the Occupational English Test, which she received support to help prepare for through free tutor sessions from Refugee Support charity said it had helped about 40 professionals from around the world, including doctors, vets, ophthalmologists and nurses, pass their occupational English Pinchuk thanked them for their support, as well as the family who opened their doors for herself and Soffia, who is now 10 and settled in school."They are very kind and generous and we are extremely grateful for what they have done for us," she said. Dr Pinchuk said "everything in Ukraine is very changeable and very unreliable"."We don't have any guarantees, and even if the events will stop for a while, we never know if the war will restart," she said."At the moment, it's unpredictable, we can't plan anything."
